Down Memory Lane

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Reporter Steve Wright asked anglers what they would remember most about the 2012 Bassmaster Classic. Their answers might surprise you, as they ranged from good memories to bad memories to tender moments. The informal survey included anglers competing in their first Classic, like Keith Poche and Ott Defoe, and one angler fishing his last, for awhile anyway, as Kevin Wirth has chosen not to compete on the B.A.S.S. circuit this year.

“Catching that 6-13 on the first cast the first day. I saw her on a bed, and I spooked her. I wheeled around, and she set back up. On my first cast, I got her.”

Photo: Eric Pinter

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Ott DeFoe, Knoxville, Tenn., 5th, 44-14

“Walking out there on that stage the third day. And holding a six-pounder in one hand wasn’t bad either, that’s for sure.”

Photo: James Overstreet

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Timmy Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala., 6th, 44-13

“Wearing the jumpsuit (at Saturday’s weigh-in), no doubt. I wanted to do that as a tribute to everybody that has paved the way to make this sport what it is today."

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Horton

"Also, it was memorable at 9:30 (Sunday) morning, knowing I had a good bag and had a shot to win. If one of those big ones had shown up, it would have gotten interesting.”

Photo: Mike Suchan

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Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 9th, 40-15

“Saturday I pulled up in an area where I had a bite the first day. I looked over there and saw a white spot. I eased up to it and saw a four-pounder sitting there. Catching that fish and really getting dialed in to what I needed to be doing was probably my most memorable moment.”

Photo: Jerry Cunningham

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Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., 24th, 33-15

“Without a doubt, the take-off crowds. That was incredible to see that many people out there in pretty chilly weather. Of all the Classics I’ve fished, those were the best crowds I’ve ever seen at a take-off, by far. It’s just typical Louisiana, man. They like fishing and they like their fishermen.”

Photo: Doug Cox

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Bill Lowen, Brookville, Ind., 10th, 40-15

“When I went to the airport and picked up my family when they arrived for the Classic. Getting to see them here made it special.”

Photo: B.A.S.S.

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Aaron Martens, Leeds, Ala., 12th, 40-10

“Losing a six-pounder on Saturday. It changes the way you fish the rest of the tournament. I’d just caught a big male off a bed, a 3 ½- or 3 ¼-pounder. If I catch a big male off a bed, I always pitch back in there for the female. I pitched to one side of the bed, then to the other side, and my line started moving, just like you dream about. I set the hook and got her to the surface, then she came off. That’s a bad memory, but that’s what I will remember most because it hurt.”

Photo: James

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David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn., 13th, 40-8

“National anthem on the first morning. That’s when they fired the gun, go get ‘em."

Photo: Doug Cox

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Walker

"It’s the Bassmaster Classic, man, you work all year for this — not all weekend, all year.”

Photo: Doug Cox

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Kevin Wirth, Crestwood, Ken., 14th, 40-8

“Emotionally, it was Saturday. Memorably, it was (Sunday), coming into that coliseum. When you go out, you want to make a good appearance. I had 8-15, in 38th place on the first day. Nobody likes to be down that far, especially me, knowing Saturday could be my last day."

Photo: James Overstreet

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Wirth

"That’s what made Saturday so emotional. When I saw that 15-5 pop on those scales, I knew I was in (for Sunday). It was like a win. That really was huge to me. (Sunday) was great; I got to fish.”

Photo: James Overstreet

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Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 20th, 36-10

“Running out there and bear-hugging (Chris, the Bassmaster Classic champion). He is a big bear, and he earned this one.”

Photo: James Overstreet

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Greg Hackney, Gonzales, La., 22nd, 34-8

“The crowds at the take-off. I made my first Classic in 2003 in New Orleans. It was summertime, hot. I can’t remember how many people were there."

Photo: James Overstreet

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Hackney

"But I’ll never forget how many people were here on Friday morning — 3,000 people for one of our blast-offs. I know it’s the Classic, but that’s unreal.”

Photo: Mike Suchan

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Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala. 1st, 51-6

“Taking that trip around there with my family -- I’ve watched it every since I was 4 or 5 years old, me and my brothers, and to think I’d actually be here. It’s the most amazing feeling, a passion that’s burned inside of us all, to actually have this thing sitting next to me."

Photo: James Overstreet

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Lane

"And most importantly, to have Kevin VanDam hand it to me. There’s not one other person I’d rather have hand me that trophy.”